Suspect Arrested in Shooting of Animal Control Officer

After a 17-hour standoff in Galt earlier this morning, Thursday, November 29, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department have arrested a 65-year-old man suspected of fatally shooting a Sacramento County Animal Control officer, according to an official press release.

Joseph Corey had already been evicted when he opened fire on the two victims

Joseph Corey, 65, was reportedly arrested at approximately 5:00 am in the 600 block of 1st street. He is expected to be booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail later today on a charge of murder.

According to Sheriff’s Department, at approximately 12:00 pm on November 28, 2012, a Sacramento County Animal Control officer, since identified as 45-year-old Roy Marcum of Elk Grove, arrived at the residence on 1st Street, along with a bank employee, pursuant to an eviction that had occurred the previous day. The officer was to take custody of some animals that had been left behind by the evicted resident, who had been identified as Corey. Due to the prior eviction, no residents were supposed to be in the home.

First Street in Galt was the scene of the overnight standoff between Law Enforcement agencies and Corey

After arriving at the front door of the home, officer Marcum and bank employee were reportedly met with a shotgun blast coming through the front door. The Sheriff’s Department reports the officer was struck in the upper body and fell to the ground, while the bank employee suffered a superficial wound to his face and was able to flee from the residence. He asked for help from a nearby Galt Police Department volunteer, who called Galt police officers.

Officers then reportedly arrived at the residence and were able to retrieve the wounded animal control officer from outside the house and he was taken to a nearby church. Emergency medical personnel reportedly attempted life-saving measures, however, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

According to the Sheriff’s Department, officers set up a perimeter containment around the suspect’s home. Officers from the Galt Police Department, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, Sacramento Police Department and Elk Grove Police Department responded, including patrol personnel, K9 units, SWAT teams, CSI and negotiators.

Over the next several hours, repeated attempts were reportedly made to contact Corey, who officers believed to be the suspect, by telephone. At approximately 5:00 pm, negotiators established their first contact with the suspect, who confirmed he was in the house.

Animal Control Officer Roy Curtis Marcum was fatally wounded by the shot Corey fired through the door

During the standoff, residents from over a dozen homes in the area were reportedly evacuated and moved to a safe location.

According to the Sheriff’s Department, after two brief conversations with the suspect, they were unable to contact him again for several hours – the suspect did not respond to any telephone calls or PA announcements.

At approximately 10:30 pm, tear gas canisters were reportedly deployed into the suspect’s residence, however the suspect did not leave. The standoff continued throughout the evening into the early morning hours when at approximately 5:00 am, the suspect reportedly moved from the primary living area to the garage, where unbeknownst to him a team of officers had entered and were waiting for him. Officers reportedly deployed a Taser device, catching the suspect without injuring him or themselves.

Sheriff’s Homicide detectives responded to the scene and will conduct the investigation into the fatal shooting. Anyone having information pertinent to this incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (916) 874-5115.

Read More:

KCRA: Animal Control officer shot to death in Galt; suspect in custody

Sacramento Bee: Update: Daring takedown of suspected Galt killer ends standoff